James Bertram Hawk

James Bertram “Bert” Hawk, 90, of Flowery Branch, GA, formerly of Tucker, GA, died February 5, 2017.

He was born in Walton County, GA on September 28, 1926 to Grace Rebecca Malcom & Thurman Harrison Hawk, Jr. He was raised in Social Circle, GA, graduating from Social Circle High School in 1943. He entered the University of Georgia in September 1943, but withdrew after one year, expecting to be drafted into World War II. Due to poor eyesight, his draft was deferred, and he moved with his parents to Atlanta, and the three became employed at the Bell Aircraft plant in Marietta (now Lockheed), where they built B-29 Bombers. He was eventually drafted into the US Army during the waning days of WWII, where he achieved the rank of Private First Class, serving from April 1946 through May 1947 in Fort Leavenworth, KS; Fort Knox, KY and in the Army of Occupation Japanese Theater in Seoul, Korea.

Following his Army service, Bert returned to the University of Georgia on the GI Bill and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. He went to work in Atlanta for A.H. Turner Insurance Company. He worked for several firms in Atlanta during the 1950s while he attended Emory University School of Law in the evening division.

He received several professional designations, receiving the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter designation in 1967, and degrees in Insurance Management Studies and Risk Management Studies from the Insurance Institute of America. He worked for Safeco Insurance Company, formally General Insurance Company, in Atlanta as Casualty Manager from 1959 to 1974. He left Safeco for a few years before returning to their Stone Mountain, GA office in 1978 retiring in 1995 as Worker’s Compensation Manager.

He was married on August 5, 1967 to Juliette “Julie” Greenlee Adams, formerly of Winchester, KY at Grace United Methodist Church in Atlanta by the Rev. Cecil Myers. A member of the church for forty years, he served on several committees and served as a Greeter. The couple had two children, David James Hawk & Susan Rebecca Hawk, who were raised in Tucker, GA. Following retirement, Bert & Julie moved to Flowery Branch in 1997 and became members of Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

In 1982, he became interested in his family history, and he spent many long hours researching the genealogy of the Hawk and Malcom families in Walton County, GA. Tracing his lineage to a Private James Malcom of Virginia, formerly of Scotland, who served in the American Revolution, he became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Lyman Hall Chapter. He was also a former member of Toastmasters International and a Cub Scout Master.

He is survived by his wife, Juliette Greenlee Adams Hawk; his children, David James Hawk of Tucker, GA and Susan Rebecca Hawk of Decatur, GA; his aunt, Sara Malcom Cooper; and several cousins including first cousins, Lois Malcom Watson, Ronald Malcom (Pat), Alice Malcom Amerson, Lloyd Malcom (Christine), Ginger Malcom Chesser (Glynn), Julia Malcom Knight  (Lanier), Joy Malcom Carson (George), Dorothy Cooper, Jane Carter Bell (Knox), Thomas Dodson Carter (Peggy), and Frances Malcom McKissick.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 or The Salvation Army.

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 10, 2017 at Gainesville First United Methodist Church.  Rev. Dr. Hugh Cauthen and Rev. Kathy Lamon will officiate.  Interment will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 10, 2017 at Memorial Park South Cemetery.  The family will receive friends following the service at the Church.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia  30542 is in charge of arrangements.   Send on-line condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.